It Is Finished

“… The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised.”  Job 1:21

“… It is finished.”  John 19:30

Well, Lord, writing this blog has been a joy.  Thank You for the privilege of writing each and every entry.  While it is time to give up this blog, I know that You have used it in the lives of each person who has read any entry in it.  I am grateful to have been used in this way.  

It is Your perfect timing and will for me to lay aside “By His Grace” and go on to the next adventure in our walk together.  Thank You for providing every word in each blog so that You have been mightily glorified in each post.  Continue to use it as You see fit.  

All praise, honor and glory to You, my Abba Father and Sovereign Lord.  

“… Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”  Revelation 5:12

Rian

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

Rian was a really nice guy, Lord.  As one of Your children He became a policeman and was working with the domestic violence program with the Montgomery Police Department.  He was good at his job.

To celebrate the 4th of July he and his entire family gathered at Orange Beach…  parents, kids and grandkids.  They were having a wonderful time until the afternoon of July 3.  That’s when Rian saved his niece from a rip tide current yet was pulled under by it and drowned.  The family is devastated but hanging on to You, Lord.  

I don’t pretend to understand Your ways, Lord, but I do know that You are sovereign over all things.  I pray that You will heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds.  Strengthen them, help them and uphold them by Your righteous right hand.  By Your grace they will grieve and honor Rian.  Only by Your grace.